Apparatus for feeding loose leaf metal arches



E. A. KOELLING June 10, 1958 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LOOSE LEAF METAL ARCHES 3 S: Z ts-Sheet 1 Filed March 19,

June 10, 1958 E. A. KOELLING APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LOOSE LEAF METAL ARCHES Filed March 19, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I IIIIIIIIIIII'I'IIIIIII'III'IIIIIIIII/ um I Fail/ill June 10, 1958 KOELLING 2,838,203

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LOOSE LEAF METAL ARCHES Filed March 19, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fowe 20 A- IroEL L m6,

FITTOENE/S into the feed chute assembly.

United States Patent APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LOOSE LEAF METAL ARCHE Edward A. Koelling, St. Louis, Mo.

Application March 19, 1953, Serial No. 343,291

14 Claims. (Cl. 221-248) The present invention relates to apparatus for feeding loose leaf metal arches, and more particularly, to apparatus for receiving groups of simultaneously released arches, conducting them to an intermediate station, and subsequently feeding them under manual control for assembly in a loose leaf metal construction.

Briefly, the present invention comprises a feed chute assembly for receiving a released group of loose leaf metal arches and for conducting individual arches of the group by separate paths to an intermediate point of detention adjacent an appropriate jig for receiving and positioning them for assembly in a loose leaf metal construction. A manually controllable device is provided for delivering the arches from the point of detention to the jig, the control for the delivering device being also adapted to effect initial release of the group of arches It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide .a novel apparatus for receiving and feeding loose leaf metal arches'in groups of a predetermined number of :arches.

" .It is another object to provide a novel apparatus adapted to receive a group of looseleaf metal arches in predetermined abutting arrangement and to conduct the arches so received by separate paths to a point of assembly.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel loose leaf metal arch feeding apparatus which is adapted to receive arches in predetermined groups, to conduct the same to a position adjacent a point of assembly, and to detain the arches at said position for immediate delivery therefrom on demand. It is another object of the invention to provide a loose leaf metal arch feeding apparatus having novel means of control whereby different groups of arches are simultaneously received and delivered.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a novel loose leaf metal arch feeding apparatus which is relatively inexpensive in its construction, positive in its action,

and simple in its operation.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus for feeding loose leaf metal arches constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the apparatus being shown in cooperative relationship with a known device adapted torelease groups of arches in predetermined arrangement, said device being .shown fragmentarily;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, a jig for-receiving arches fed by the apparatus of Fig. 1 being shown fragmentarily in dotted outline;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 2, but with certain of the movable elements of both the apparatus and the arch releasing device of Figs. 1 and 2 being shown in different positions of operative movement;

Fig. 4 is an enlargedfragmentary view, partly in sec- 2,838,203 Patented June 10, 1958 ice Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 88 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 89-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged top plan view taken from above Fig. 1 and showing with added detail the cooperative connection of the apparatus of the present invention with a known arch releasing device;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a removed feed block forming part of the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view, partly in section, of a removed release block forming a part of the arch releas ing device, but adapted for cooperative operation with the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view thereof;

I Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View taken generally along the line 15-45 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15, but with certain of the elements being shown in different operative positions;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 17--17 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 1818 of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, showing with added detail a central portion of Fig. 3;

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of a removed guide block; and

' Fig. 21 is a side elevational view thereof.

Referring to the drawings more specifically by means of reference numerals, 25 indicates generally an apparatus for feeding loose leaf metal arches constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The apparatus 25'is adapted for cooperative connection with a loose leaf metal arch feeding apparatus such as disclosed in my copending application for patent, Serial No. 253,733, filed October 29, 1951. It will be understood, however, that the apparatus of the present invention may be modified for cooperation with other types of arch feeding apparatus without departing from the spirit of the invention. Ordinarily, when it is desired to adapt the instant invention for use with an existing arch feeding apparatus, it wiil be necessary to make minor modifications to the release assembly of the existing device, as well as to adapt the specific receiving assemblyof the apparatus of the present invention to suit the requirements of the particular case.

Fig. 1 of the drawings shows the apparatus 25 in conjunction with a feeding assembly 26 forming part of the feeding apparatus of the above-mentioned application. Briefly, the feeding assembly 26 includes a cradle 27 havinga longitudinal semicylindrical bore 28 formed adjacent its.v upper surface, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The cradle .27 is disposed'at an inclination to the horizontal and supports a feed shaft 29 which is movable in the bore 28. The shaft 29 extends beyond the lower end of the cradle 27 and through a bearing member 39 having a cylindrical bore coaxial with the semicylindrical bore 28.

A longitudinal retainer bar 31 having a cross-section as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is secured to the upper surface of "the cradle 27 so that a laterally. extending 3 portion 32 of the retainer bar 31 provides a predetermined clearance above the top of the feed shaft 29. The retainer bar 31 also has astepped portion 33 which c o- 'operates with the upper surface of the cradle 27 to provide a rectangular groove having a lateral opening. The retainer bar 31 extends to a point which is flush with the lower end of the cradle 27.

It will be understood that the feeding assembly 26 is part of a larger assembly (not shown) adapted to collect loose leaf metal arches of the type indicated generally by the numeral 35 and which comprise an arcuate portion 36 and an extending ear portion 37. The feed shaft 29 is continuously rotated, oscillated, or otherwise moved so as to cause the collected arches 35 to congregate in consecutively abutting relationship adjacent the lower end of the cradle 27 as clearly shown in Fig. 10.

A vibrating mechanism 38 secured to the underneath surface of the cradle 27 assists in moving the arches 35 toward the discharge end of the feeding assembly 26.

A release block assembly 40, shown removed in Figs.

13 and 14, is disposed in the space between the lower end of the cradle 27 and the bearing member 30, and is pivotally mounted to the feed shaft 29. It may be seen that the release block assembly 40 includes a block 41 and a filler 42 secured to the block 41 by means of of the bore 44 is also cut away so as to leave only an arcuate segment 46 coextensive with the ledge 45. A

threaded hole 47 (Fig. 13) is provided in the block 41 for attachment of an actuating member, as will appear. A hole 48 is also provided in the block 41 and receives a hinge pin 49 which pivotally mounts a leaf member 50 shaped as best shown in Figs. 10, and 16 of the drawings. .It will be noted that the leaf member 50 is the same width as the ledge 45 and normally rests upon the tiller 42 so that its free end extends over the top of the feed shaft 29. It will be observed that the free end of the leaf member 50 is cut away so as to provide adequate clearance for arches 35 to slide therebeneath.

A tie block 55, preferably wedge shaped as shown in V Fig. 1, is secured to the underneath surface adjacent the lower end of the cradle 27, and also to the underneath surface of the bearing member 30, thus serving to maintain these parts in predetermined spaced relation and thereby enable the release block assembly 40 to pivot freely therebetween.

Now referring to Fig. 10, it will be seen that a receiving block assembly 56 is secured by means of screws 57 and 58 to the cradle 27 and the bearing member 30, respectively. This receiving block assembly 56 comprises a separator block 60 secured to spaced guide plates 61 and 62 by means of screws 63 and 64, respectively. The separator block is shown removed in Figs. 11 and 12. from which it may be seen that this part comprises a plate portion 65 and transversely extending twin flanges 66 and 67, the latter forming an open channel 68 therebetween. From Figs. 11 and 12, it may be seen that the upper and lower portions of each of the flanges 66 and 67 are formed to triangular and rectangular cross sections, respectively, a gradual transition from one shape to the other being made intermediate the ends of these flanges. As best shown in Fig. 10, the guide plates 61 and 62 are secured flush against the plate portion 65 of the separator block 56, adjacent edges 69 and 70 of the guide plates 61 and 62, being formed so as to be complemental with the outer faces of the flanges 66 and 67. The guide plates 61 and 62 are disposed so as to form channels 71 and 72 between their respective 4 edges 69 and 70 and the twin flanges 66 and 67. Asis clear from Fig. 10, the upper ends of the three channels 68, 71 and 72 are so arranged as to receive three abutting arches 35, each of the arches entering a separate channel and being thereby separated one from another.

A guide block 75, shown removed in Figs. 20 and 21, is mounted to the upper surface of the tie block 55 and flush against both the guide plate 62 and the free edges of the flanges 66 and 67 of the separator'block 56, as best shown in Figs. 10, 15 and 16. The block 75 has an arcuate cut-out 76 to provide clearance for the movable release block 40, and another arcuate cutout 77 to provide clearance for the feed shaft 29 opposite the ledge 45 and the arcuate.segment 46. A downwardly sloping surface 78 is provided in alignment with the arcuate surface 77 so as to leave a horizontal surface 79 therebetween. It will be noted from Figs. 15 and 16 that the horizontal surface 79 has a transverse dimension substantially equal to the cross-sectional width of the arcuate portion 36 of the arches 35 and, further, that this horizontal surface 79 is disposed substantially at the level of an adjacent portion of the axial centerline of the feed shaft 29. Thus disposed, it is apparent that the horizontal surface 79 is flush with the top surface of the cradle 60 so as, in effect, to form an extension thereof. Figs. 10, 15 and 16 show clearly that the sloping surface 78 of the block 75 communicates with the three channels 68, 71 and 72.

A feed chute assembly 80 comprising chutes 81, 82 and 83 is secured beneath the receiving block assembly 56 so as to dispose the upper ends of the chutes 81,82 and 83 in communication with the channels 71, 68 and 72, respectively. A clamp block 85, having appropriate apertures to receive the flanged upper ends of the chutes 81, 82 and 83, secures the feed chute assembly 80 to the receiving block assembly 56 by means of screws 86, as clearly indicated in Figs. 10, 15 and 16 of the drawings.

The chutes 81, 82 and 83 are formed to the shape clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, and are maintained in the indicated relationship one to another by means of appropriate clamp assemblies and 91. Added support for the feed chute assembly 80 is provided by a bracket 92 secured to the clamp assembly 90 by means of screws 93 and 94. Fig. 2 shows a semi-cylindrical notch 95 to be formed at one edge of each of the chutes 81, 82 and 83 at a level which is just shortly above the lower ends of these chutes. It will be understood that these notches 95 are disposed in straight alignment across the feed chute assembly 80 Fig. 4 shows the lower ends of the chutes 81, 82 and 83 to be cut off on a horizontal plane.

Fig. 4, along with Fig. 5, shows the clamp assembly 91 to be provided with apertured hinge brackets 96 adapted to receive a hinge pin 97 pivotally mounting a delivery chute '98. The delivery chute 98 includes three channel members -101, 102 and 103 formed and assembled as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The assembly thus provides three channel passages 104, 105 and 106 in respective communication with the chutes 81. 82 and 83.

At the free end of the delivery chute 98, it will be noted that each of the channel passages 1.04, 105 and 106 is partially obstructed by a pivoted deflector 107 shaped and mounted as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

A pair of torsion springs 108 mounted on the hinge pin 97 acts to bias the delivery chute 98 to the horizontal position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

An actuating assembly 110 is provided for simultaneously actuating the release block assembly 40 and the delivery chute 98. The actuating assembly 110 includes a rocker plate 111 pivotally mounted near its center to the clamp assembly 90 (Figs. 2 and 3). An actuating member 112 having a handle portion 113 is pivotally mounted near one end 'of the rocker bar of the 'rocker'plate 111 and extends generally upwardly as illustrated in the drawings for a pivoted connection with "the release block 41, this latter connection being made The other end of the rocker plate 111 carries a pin 115 which slidably engages an elongated slot 116 in an adjustable link assembly 117. The link assembly 117 com prises a link member 118, which contains the slot 116, and a plate member 119, which is adjustably mounted on the link 113 to vary the length of the slot 116 (Fig. 7). The lower end of the link 118 is connected to a strap member 120 (Figs. 4 and 5) secured to the delivery chute 98 by means of screws 121.

A sector assembly 125 comprising sector plates 126 and 127, each having an external outline as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is mounted so as to embrace the chutes 81, 82 and 83 and is pivotally mounted along with the rocker plate 111 to the clamp assembly 90. It will be understood, however, that the rocker plate 111 and the sector assembly 125 are independently pivotable. The sector plates 126 and 127 are interconnected by two pins 128 and 129 having their ends firmly secured in the respective plates 126 and 127. It will be noted through a comparison of Figs. 2 and 3 that the pin 129 is adapted, upon appropriate pivotal movement of the sector assembly 125, to enter the notches 95 formed in the chutes 81, 82 and 83 as above mentioned. It Will also be noted from these figures that the sector plate 127 is disposed adjacent and parallel to the rocker plate 111 and has an arcuate slot 130 formed therein for slidable engagement with a pin 131 secured in. the rocker plate 111. A torsion spring 132 is appropriately mounted on the rocker plate 111 for movement therewith and has a free end 133 which engages the pin .129 of the sector assembly 125 and thus acts to bias both the rocker plate 111 and the sector assembly 125 toward relative positions wherein the pin 131 tends to occupy the upper end of the arcuate slot 130.

Operation It is apparent from the foregoing description that the apparatus 25 is adapted to receive loose leaf metal arches such as 35 from the feeding assembly 26 and to dispose ingv receptacles 142 for receiving individual arches 35 for attachment to cooperating parts in a loose leaf binder.

Although the illustrated apparatus 25 is obviously adapted to release and deliver arches 35 in groups of three, it is readily understood that provision may be made for handling larger or smaller groups without departing from the spirit of the invention.

As previously indicated, the feeding assembly 26 is .adapted to maintain an adequate supply of arches 35 at the discharge end thereof, and it is apparent that as the arches 35 move downwardly along the cradle 27 and the feed shaft 29 in consecutively abutting relation, the three end arches 35 will move beyond the lower end of the cradle 27 so as to be disposed respectively opposite the upper ends of the channels 71, 68 and 72. These three arches 35 thus form a group to be simultaneously released and subsequently delivered, and are supported in the aforementioned position by the horizontal surface 79 on the guide block 75. At the same time, the free end of the leaf member 56 prevents their being displaced from the moving feed shaft 29.

'When it is desired to release a group of arches 35, the handle portion 113 of the actuating member 112 is lifted manually and effects movement of the release block assembly 40 from the position of Figs. 2 and 15 to the position of Figs. 3 and 16. As best shown in Fig. 16, this movement of the release block assembly 40 causes the free end'of the leaf member 50 to engage the upper surface of the separator block 60 and to slide thereacross in a manner to pivot the member 50 away from the release block assembly 40 and thus to free the group of arches 35 so that the ear portions 37 thereof may be lifted by the upwardly moving ledge 45 to the position shown by the dotted outline in Fig. 16. It will be noted that movement of the arches 35 to this position causes the free ends of the arch portions 36 to be disposed on the sloping surface 78 of the guide block 75 which, along with the continued movement of the feed shaft 29, will normally be sufiicient to cause the group of arches 35 to drop by gravity into the respective channels 71, 68 and 72. If, however, the arches 35 have any tendency to hang in the position shown by the dotted outline of Fig. 16, it is obvious that the return movement of the release block assembly 40 and the pivotally connected leaf member 51 will cause the free end of the latter to engage the upwardly disposed portion of .such arches 35 in a manner to nudge them down into the receiving channels.

It will be noted, particularly from Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, that as the actuating member 112 is lifted to effect release of a group of arches 35 as above described, the rocker plate 111 is moved from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig.3. It will be further noted that in the first part of this movement the rocker plate 111 will be accompanied by the sector assembly 125 due to the aforementioned biased interconnection therebetween. This conjoined movement, however, lasts only until the pin 129 is seated in the notches 95, whereupon the sector assembly 125 is restrained, the rocker plate lll bein'g enabled to continue its movement due to the sliding engagement of the pin 131 with the slot 130." The seating of the pin 12.9 in the notches at the same time a group of arches 35 is released, obstructs the free passage of the released arches 35 through the chutes 81, 82 and 83, as illustrated in Fig. 19 of the drawings, thereby arresting the gravitational descent of the arches 35 for as .long as the actuating member 112 is held in raised position. Clearly, however, the return movement of. the rocker plate 111 effects pick-up of the sector assembly when thepin 131 reaches the top of the slot and the pin 1219 is thus withdrawn from the'notches 95, which permits to the continuously biased by the torsion springs 108 toward the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2. It is apparent, therefore, that the rocking movement of the rocker plate 111 effected by upward movement of the actuating memher 112 will not affect the position of the delivery chute 98 until it has progressed to a point where the pin 115 has passed downwardly along the slot 116 and abuts the plate member 119, whereupon continued rocking movement of the rocker plate 111 acts through the link assembly 117 to depress the delivery chute 93 to the position shown in Fig. 3. From a comparison of Figs.

3 and 4 of the drawings, it is apparent that arches 35 which have previously descended to the bottom of the chutes 81, 82 and 83 will be detained at this point by the horizontally disposed delivery chute 98, but that upon the latter being depressed to the position of Fig. 3, these arches 35 will be free to continue their descent through the channels 104, 1495 and 106 of the delivery chute 98. As the arches 35 emerge from the free end of the chute 93, they are deflected downwardly by the pivoted deflectors 107 so as to fall into their respective receptacles 141.

It will be observed that the sequence of operations of the actuating assembly 110 is such that a group of arches 35 is released into the apparatus 25 at substantially the same time a previously released group is delivered therefrom, yet regardless of the speed with which the actuating assembly 110 is operated, a released group of arches of illustration and example.

7 V 35 is prevented from following a delivered group thereof without the actuating assembly 110 being returned to normal rest position. It will be particularly noted that obstruction of the chutes 81, 82 and 83 is effected well before the release block assembly 40 reaches its ultimate release position and that this obstruction is maintained until the delivery chute 98 has returned to its horizontal position of normal rest.

Manifestly, there has been provided an apparatus which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in ,the rat, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for feeding individually oriented loose leaf metal arches comprising, in combination, means for congregating individually oriented arches in consecutive abutment, means for simultaneously releasing a predetermined number less than the total number of congregated arches and at the same time restraining the unreleased arches, means for receiving released groups of arches and conducting the same individually to respective points of detention while maintaining individual orientation thereof, means for detaining said group at their points of detention, means for again releasing said detained group, and means for conducting said again released group to an assembly station while still maintaining individual orientation thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 with the addition of means for effecting substantially simultaneous initial release of one group of arches and the second release of another group of arches.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 with the addition of means for momentarily stopping the motion of each individual arch of a group of initially released arches before they reach the point of detention.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein there is a single operating element for operating said stopping means and both of said releasing means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for congregating arches comprises means for moving arches so as to dispose each arch of a group thereof in contiguous relation with the means for initially releasing the group.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for initially releasing a group of arches comprises a pivotally mounted release block, a pivotally mounted leaf member, and means for deflecting said leaf member upon pivotal movementof said release block, said release block and said leaf member being adapted to occupy normal rest positions such as substantially to embrace a group of arches disposed contiguous thereto, said embracement being relieved upon pivotal movement of said release block and consequent deflection of said leaf member, said release block being adapted to displace a group of arches moved into contiguity therewith upon pivotal movement thereof, said displacement being in a direction to effect release of the displaced arches, said leaf member being adapted to engage any displaced but unreleased arches during return of the member to its normal rest position thereby to effect full release of all displaced arches.

7. In an apparatus for feeding loose leaf metal arches, in combination, means for retaining arches in uniform consecutive abutment, means for simultaneously releasing a predetermined plurality of consecutively abutted arches, means for simultaneously receiving and separating said predetermined plurality of simultaneously released arches comprising an individual conduit for each ,arch, movable means for simultaneously blocking one end Til wasn't.

8 taneously received arches, said movable means having guide means for simultaneously conducting said arches to respective points of assembly and means for moving said movable means so as simultaneously to unblock said conduitsiand thereby effect simultaneous delivery of said arches as aforesaid, said latter means having operating connection with said releasing means for effecting substantially simultaneous delivery of one group of arches and initial release of another group of arches.

8. The combination of claim 7 with the addition of movable means for obstructing each of said conduits at a point intermediate its ends so as to prevent uninterrupted passage of said arches through their respective conduits, and means for moving said obstructing means upon each actuation of said releasing means.

9. T he combination of claim 8 with means for coordinating the movement of both said obstructing means and said blocking and delivering means, said coordinating means including means automatically to effect first the obstruction of the conduit passages and then the unblocking and delivering of said arches and thereafter to effect first the blocking of the conduits and then the removal of the obstruction therefrom.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the coordinating means including means having a sliding connection with said releasing means whereby said coordinating means may effect the obstruction of the conduits prior to the introduction of arches thereinto.

11. An actuating assembly for a loose leaf metal arch feeding apparatus, said apparatus comprising a stationary conduit for receiving and guiding successively introduced arches to an exit end thereof, a pivoted delivery chute adjacent said exit end, and a pivoted obstructing member adapted to move into obstructing relation in respect to said conduit, said assembly comprising, in combination, a rocker plate, a sector plate, said plates being mounted for independent pivotal movement about the pivotal center of said obstructing member, said sector plate being integral with said obstructing member for pivotal movement therewith, means interconnecting the rocker plate and the sector plate for limiting relative pivotal movement therebetween, and means including a limited slidable connection interconnecting the rocker plate with said delivery chute.

12. The actuating assembly of claim 11 wherein the interconnection between the rocker plate and the sector plate comprises a pin in one of the plates and an arcuate slot in the other, and wherein the interconnection between the rocker plate and the delivery chute comprises an intermediate linking member having a pin and slot engagement with the rocker plate.

13. The actuating assembly of claim 12 with the addition of a yieldable element biasing the rocker plate and the sector plate toward one limit of relative pivotal movement therebetween, and an additional yieldable element biasing the delivery chute toward the exit end of said stationary conduit.

14. The actuating assembly of claim 11 with the addition of an actuating member pivotally connected to the rocker plate, said member being adapted for pivotal connection with a mechanism controlling the introduction of arches into the stationary conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 590,635 Sturtevant Sept. 28, 1897 1,334,326 Strane Mar. 23, 1920 1,940,321 Pagett Dec. 19, 1933 2,341,014 Blair Feb. 8, 1944 2,432,339 Reynolds .0 Dec. 9, 1947 2,502,227 Makenny Mar. 28, 1950 2,585,558 Lakso Feb. 12, 1952 2,604,577 Strickland et a1. July 22, 1952 2,657,404 Kasper Nov. 3, 1953 2,725,160 Ahlstrom Nov. 29, 1955 

